{"product_id":"hendersons-baby-lima-bean-heirloom-seeds","title":"Henderson's Baby Lima Bean Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003ch2\u003eHistory\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHenderson’s Baby Lima Bean (\u003cem\u003ePhaseolus lunatus\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the oldest and most beloved lima bean varieties in American gardening history. Introduced by Peter Henderson \u0026amp; Co. of New York in 1888, it was bred specifically to address the biggest complaint about traditional large lima beans — their sprawling vines and long growing season. Henderson’s solved both problems in one tidy package: a compact, productive bush plant that delivers tender, creamy small lima beans in just 65–70 days. Open-pollinated and non-GMO, it has remained a staple of American kitchen gardens for over 135 years and is the lima bean of choice for gardeners with smaller spaces who refuse to compromise on flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlant Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 65–70 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBean Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small, plump, creamy white; 3–4 beans per pod\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColor\/Appearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pale green pods at fresh stage; creamy white seeds when shelled; compact 18–24 inch upright bush habit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Spread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18–24 inches; neat, self-supporting bush\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bush annual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHenderson’s Baby Lima delivers the classic sweet, buttery, earthy flavor that makes lima beans a Southern garden staple — but in a smaller, more tender package than large-seeded varieties. The smaller bean size means thinner skins and a creamier, less starchy texture, especially when harvested at the fresh-shell stage. Dried and stored, they cook up rich and satisfying in soups, stews, and succotash. Fresh off the vine, lightly steamed with butter and salt, they are one of summer’s quiet revelations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowth Type \u0026amp; Harvest Yields\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHenderson’s is a bush variety — no staking, no trellising, no sprawling required. Plants stay compact at 18–24 inches and set pods in heavy flushes. Under normal conditions expect 3–4 lbs of fresh pods per plant over the season. Multiple succession plantings every 3–4 weeks will extend fresh harvests through the entire warm season. Pods are ready for fresh shelling when beans have filled out but pods are still green; let dry on the plant for dry beans.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDisease Resistance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGood resistance to common bean mosaic virus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModerate tolerance to heat — one of the more heat-tolerant lima bean varieties available\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid overhead watering to prevent fungal issues; water at the base\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSusceptible to bean beetles — monitor undersides of leaves; hand-pick or use row covers early in the season\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRotate bean crops every 3 years to prevent soil-borne disease buildup\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tips \u0026amp; Planting Dimensions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–6 inches between plants; rows 18–24 inches apart\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSow Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1–1½ inches deep\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7–10 days at 65–85°F soil temperature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun Requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun — minimum 6–8 hours daily\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-draining, moderately fertile soil; pH 6.0–6.8; avoid excess nitrogen which promotes foliage over pods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Consistent moisture especially during flowering and pod fill; reduce watering once pods are mature for dry bean harvest\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Tips:\u003c\/strong\u003e Direct sow only — lima beans do not transplant well; do not plant until soil is thoroughly warm (65°F+); inoculate seeds with rhizobium inoculant before planting for improved nitrogen fixation and yields\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhen to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirect sow after last frost when soil has warmed to at least 65°F — lima beans are more heat-sensitive at germination than other beans and will rot in cold, wet soil. Succession plant every 3–4 weeks through midsummer for continuous harvests. Not sure of your zone? \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\/\"\u003eCheck the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCompanion Plants \u0026amp; Mutual Benefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer Savory\u003c\/strong\u003e — traditional bean companion; repels bean beetles and improves flavor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMarigolds\u003c\/strong\u003e — deter Mexican bean beetles and aphids at bed edges\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCarrots\u003c\/strong\u003e — loosen compacted soil and complement the nitrogen-fixing roots of beans\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCucumbers\u003c\/strong\u003e — pair well spatially; beans fix nitrogen that benefits heavy-feeding cucumbers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRosemary\u003c\/strong\u003e — repels bean beetles when planted at the border\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid planting near: onions and garlic (inhibit bean growth), fennel (inhibits most vegetables), and beets (compete with beans)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow to Enjoy\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eShell fresh and steam lightly with butter, salt, and a sprig of summer savory — the Southern classic that needs nothing more. Toss into succotash with fresh corn and a handful of cherry tomatoes for a peak-summer side dish. Simmer dried beans low and slow into a rich, silky pot of butter beans with smoked ham hock. Add to minestrone or vegetable soups where their creamy texture holds up beautifully without turning to mush. Or simply freeze fresh-shelled beans at peak season to enjoy that just-picked flavor all winter long.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Gardeners Love Henderson’s Baby Lima Bean\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo staking required\u003c\/strong\u003e — compact 18–24 inch bush habit fits raised beds and small spaces perfectly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTender, creamy flavor\u003c\/strong\u003e — thinner skins and sweeter, less starchy taste than large lima varieties\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeat tolerant\u003c\/strong\u003e — one of the most reliable lima beans for hot summer gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProlific producer\u003c\/strong\u003e — heavy flushes of pods with succession planting for season-long harvests\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDual-purpose\u003c\/strong\u003e — harvest fresh for tender shell beans or leave to dry for pantry staples\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e135+ years of American garden history\u003c\/strong\u003e — open-pollinated, seed-saveable, and proven across generations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHarvest Tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhen to harvest (fresh):\u003c\/strong\u003e Pick when pods are plump and green and beans have fully filled out but before pods begin to yellow — typically 65–70 days after planting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhen to harvest (dry):\u003c\/strong\u003e Leave pods on the plant until they are fully dry and papery; pull entire plant and hang to finish drying in a warm, ventilated space\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHow to handle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shell immediately before use for best fresh flavor; refrigerate unshelled pods for up to 5 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSeed Saving\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAllow a few pods to remain on the plant until fully dry and brown. Shell, inspect for damage, and spread seeds on a screen for an additional 1–2 weeks of drying. Store in a labeled airtight container in a cool, dark, dry location. Henderson’s Baby Lima Bean seeds remain viable for 3–4 years under proper storage conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOrder Today\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrow the lima bean that has earned its place in American kitchen gardens for over 135 years. Order your Henderson’s Baby Lima Bean heirloom seeds today and discover why gardeners keep coming back to this compact, prolific, and deeply flavorful classic.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden Heirloom Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Starter Pack of 10 seeds","offer_id":53981597040954,"sku":null,"price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Garden Pack of 25 seeds - 🌱 Best Value","offer_id":53981597073722,"sku":null,"price":2.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/7850\/9626\/files\/hendersons-baby-lima-bean-harvest-shot.png?v=1788197286","url":"https:\/\/gardenheirloomseeds.com\/products\/hendersons-baby-lima-bean-heirloom-seeds","provider":"Garden Heirloom Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}